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enCAF Champions League: Zamalek lodge appealWith both CAF Champions League Group A and Group B having already been decided, this weekends games could be viewed as dead rubbers.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/caf-champions-league-zamalek-lodge-appeal
AS Vita, TP Mazembe, CS Sfaxien and Entente Setif are through to the semi-finals with one match left to play.
However, Zamalek have lodged a complaint with CAF against DR Congo outfit AS Vita Club over the dual identity of Rwandan striker Taddy Etekiama that could see them back in the race for a semi-final spot.
If their 1-0 home defeat to AS Vita on match day 5 is reversed by CAF, the Egyptian giants could qualify for the last four with a victory when they travel to Sudan to play bottom of the group Al Hilal.
Not only do the Egyptians need CAF to decide in their favour, other results to go their way and then secure a first away win in the group stages of the competition, but Zamalek need to do so while the club is in turmoil following an assassination attempt on chairman Mortada Mansour by the club's own fans.
The assassination attempt comes as the relationship between Zamalek management and their hardcore supporters known as "Ultras White Knights" has been deteriorating for weeks over several issues, including the recent sacking of former coach Mido.
In early August, the fans also stormed the club’s headquarters and vandalised the chairman's office, shortly after he had criticised their attitude in a press conference.
"Ultras White Knights is not a football fan group but a terrorist organisation," Mansour told the media after the latest incident.
"They tried to kill me and two people were injured."
Zamalek board member Ahmed Mortada was also horrified by the attack and vowed to end the football club's association with the supporters' group.
"We won't deal with Ultras again. White Knights no longer have a relationship with Zamalek," Mortada said.
"We will consider only the club's respectable fans. Any member of the club who will be dealing with the Ultras – his membership will be deactivated."
The other Group A game this weekend sees a derby between the two Democratic Republic of Congo highfliers, AS Vita and TP Mazembe, to determine who will likely top the group.
Their clash takes on even more significance with the threat of Zamalek's appeal hanging over AS Vita ensuring they will be looking for three points to make absolutely sure of progression to the semis.
In Group B, there's an all-Tunisian derby on Saturday as fierce rivals Entente Setif travel to CS Sfaxien with a one-point lead in the standings to determine who will top the group. Al Ahly Benghazi travel to Esperance with only pride at stake.
news_articleWed, 20 Aug 2014 12:51:00 +0000Anonymous235128 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGhana will give it everything, vows AffulHarrison Afful has pledged that Ghana will aim to match their performance against Germany to try to reach the FIFA World Cup last 16.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ghana-will-give-it-everything-vows-afful
Kwesi Appiah's men were unfortunate not to take all three points from an enthralling 2-2 draw with Germany on Saturday.
Afful played a key role in that game, supplying the cross for Andre Ayew to cancel out Mario Gotze's second-halfopener, before Asamoah Gyan completed an unexpected turnaround.
But there was a final twist in the tale as Germany substitute MiroslavKlose rescued a point for Joachim Low's side by scoring the 15th World Cup goal of his career, tying Brazil great Ronaldo for the most in the history of the competition.
Ghana can still qualify despite the draw, although a United States victoryover Portugal on Sunday would all but eliminate them from the competition.However, regardless of the permutations, Afful is adamant Ghana will fight to the end.
"It's a shame we couldn't win. It would have been great to take all three points," Afful toldFIFA.com.
"But we ran ourselves into the ground and played really well against a team of the calibre of Germany.
"We've still got a game to go and we're going to give it our all to go through.
"If we don't qualify, it won't be for lack of effort."
Ghana's final group game with Portugal takes place in Brasilia on Thursday.
news_articleSun, 22 Jun 2014 09:36:34 +0000Anonymous198150 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCAF Champions League: Chiefs bid for trebleKaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter insists every game is crucial as he prepares for Sundays CAF Champions League clash with AS Vita Club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/caf-champions-league-chiefs-bid-treble
The South African champions are fighting to win silverware on three fronts, with Baxter's side remaining in contention for Premier Soccer League and Nedbank Cup titles.
A run of four games in 11 days, starting on Wednesday, is set to pose a stiff test of the Chiefs, but Baxter will not take any competition lightly, stating that "prioritising is dangerous".
"If I go out and say we will field a reserve team in the Nedbank Cup, people will hang me," he told KICKOFF.com .
"If I say we are not really bothered by CAF then people will say you are a lunatic, you are disrespecting South Africa.
"If I was to say I couldn’t care less if we win the ABSA Premiership it will be the same. So how do you prioritise?
"We just have to admit that every game is vital."
The Chiefs have been in fine form ahead of their meeting with Congolese side Vita, scoring 11 goals in four Champions League games.
Holders Al Ahly will look to maintain their hopes of securing a ninth title by making it past Ahly Benghazi.
The sides meet in Libya on Sunday, while Al Ahly's Egyptian rivals Zamalek - who missed out on qualifying from the group stage last year - travel to Nkana of Zambia.
Last year's beaten semi-finalists, Coton Sport and Esperance de Tunis, face away trips in the first leg as they travel to Entente Setif and Real de Bamako respectively.
After winning the CAF Confederation Cup for a third time last year, CS Sfaxien have made a strong start to life in Africa's premier club competition and can bolster their hopes of making the group stage with a first-leg win over Horoya of Guinea.
Sewe Sport came through a closely-fought encounter against BYC last time out, triumphing 4-3, and will hope for a smoother ride against TP Mazembe, while Sudan's only representatives Al-Hilal take on Leopards de Dolisie.
news_articleWed, 19 Mar 2014 13:35:03 +0000Anonymous140251 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com